PROJECT THRIVE NEARLY TRIPLES REACH OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM,“YES, YOU CAN!” IN SECOND YEAR

DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 1, 2026 – The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas revealed results from its second year spearheading the “YES YOU CAN!” youth mental health resiliency program, which reached 1,725 campers at 12 Y camps this summer, up from 600 campers during the 2025 summer pilot. The program is an initiative of Project Thrive, a collective of youth mental health advocates and champions across North Texas made up of the YMCA, the Grant Halliburton Foundation, Metrocare Services, Momentous Institute, and The UTD Center for BrainHealth. 

The results were shared at a special luncheon on Tuesday, October 20 at the Center for BrainHealth, where a representative from each participating organization shared their perspective on today’s youth mental health crisis, and what roles their organization plays in ensuring information and resources are accessible for all. 

Developed by mental health researchers and experts, “YES YOU CAN!” equips children and teens with practical tools to help build resilience and support their emotional well-being. Some topics covered include: how to regulate emotions, manage stress and anxiety, improve communication, and build healthy relationships. The program also supplies parents with training, resources, and tools to support their child’s mental health when camp concludes.

Based on surveys from youth and their families, 87% of campers were engaged in mental health education, 72% of teens said they try to use what they learned in the program in their daily lives, and 36% of youth said their ability to calm themselves improved. Another 36% of parents reported improved behavior at home, while 58% of counselors saw at least some session-related change in behavior. 

“The number one thing that this proves is that we can treat mental health from a public health perspective,” said Dr. Jessica Gomez, Executive Director at Momentous Institute. “We can develop solutions that are not simply happening one at a time in a therapy room. While there are some people who need that, what the Y is helping to do is prove that this partnership can develop interventions that can be scaled to the masses and help a child that might never make it to therapy.” 

Project Thrive plans to grow "YES YOU CAN" to reach 6,000 children and 30 YMCA afterschool sites by 2028. To expand, the group is working to solidify a more refined and unified curriculum, train more staff to deliver content and streamline messaging. 

“Parents tell us that their children are now opening up about what they learned through this program at camp,” said Giselle Patterson, Associate Vice President of Community Health at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “The conversation is changing around the dinner table. Children are bringing these topics to light, allowing parents to engage and learn from them.” 

Learn more about the program and how to support Project Thrive.